Monday, September 28, 2009

It's still too early to make a proper judgment on their moves. But one verdict is in on the Strictly Come Dancing contestants - their costumes are a little too... little.

Viewers have complained that the wardrobe department is coming up short. Far too short, apparently.

They describe the frocks as 'tat' and 'dishcloth grey' and in some cases 'embarrassingly revealing'.

Though ballroom dancing is known for sexy costumes, viewers point out that these should be toned down for family viewing.Last week professional dancer Ola Jordan took to the stage in an outfit which one viewer compared to a 'cobweb'.

This week, actresses Laila Rouass and Zoe Lucker were in little more than leotards and fringing, and professional dancer Katya Virshilas was similarly exposed.

Even Jo Wood, one of the older contestants, was in a dress which barely reached the top of her thighs.

It is unclear if the tiny dresses are an attempt to sex up Strictly or if the BBC is simply addressing its (ahem) bottom line.

There is speculation about budget cuts in the wardrobe department.

But ratings show Strictly closed the gap on X Factor this weekend, with the difference in peak audiences falling from two million last week to 1.4m last night.

The X Factor's audience peaked at 10.1m, compared with 8.7m for Strictly.

Speaking about the revealing dresses one viewer said: 'I wish Ola and the other girls would remember that young children often watch the show.

'They should wear clothes that are elegant rather than suitable for an adult- only show.'

Another viewer commented on another fan site: 'Even one of the new pro-girls said her dress was embarrassingly short.'

Another complained: 'Most of the dresses this year look like tat thrown together from bits of material draped any old how along the side of the dress.'

One fan said: 'The wardrobe department seem to be using a fair amount of dishcloth grey.

Another said: 'I'm sorry to say the show looks like it has taken a massive budget cut and it shows in the dresses.'On Saturday night's show, Richard Dunwoody lost a dance-off against Coronation Street star Craig Kelly.The former jockey, who was partnered with Lilia Kopylova, said his time on Strictly had been 'an unbelievable experience'.

Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle is the bookies' favourite to win after topping the judges' scoreboard last night.

Ladbrokes today cut the odds on Whittle from 6/4 to 5/4 after head judge Len Goodman told him: 'You are the one to beat.'